Dental Professionals and the Ebola Virus

On October 16, 2014, the American Dental Association (ADA) sent an email to its membership giving resources and information regarding the Ebola virus. According to the ADA, “A person infected with Ebola is not considered contagious until symptoms appear. Due to the virulent nature of the disease, it is highly unlikely that someone with Ebola symptoms will seek dental care when they are severely ill. There is no reported risk of transmission of Ebola from asymptomatic infected patients.”

However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the ADA Division of Science recommend that dental professionals take a medical history, including a travel history, from their patients with symptoms in which a viral infection is suspected.

Additional Information and Resources

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Ebola Virus Disease Information for Clinicians in US Healthcare Settings. Click HERE